Teen faces court in Lockport school explosion

May 14, 2009

A Lockport Township High School freshman accused of bringing a "chemical device" that exploded in a school hallway this week is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges June 12 in Will County juvenile court, officials said today.

The 15-year-old boy, whom officials are not naming due to his age, is cited as a juvenile with unlawful possession of a weapon, reckless conduct and unlawful possession of an explosive device, said Chuck Pelkie, a spokesman for the Will County State's Attorney's office.

The student told police the incident on Monday was a prank and he hadn't meant to hurt anyone. Several people were sent to local hospitals after the device exploded.

Police made the arrest Wednesday after receiving tips from students, including some who the accused teen talked with about the incident. The arrest came on the same day the two campuses of the high school reopened under heightened security following the explosion and an anonymous bomb threat phoned to the school on Tuesday.

The student admitted to his role in Monday's incident and expressed remorse, but told police he did not phone in Tuesday's bomb threat at the district's east campus.

"He was extremely sorry and glad that no one was hurt," Lockport Police Chief Bill Kendziora said at a Wednesday evening press conference, adding that the student "freely admitted" to his role.

The student was taken into custody while he was at the central campus Wednesday.

"It's a sense of relief but at the same time concern [for the student]," Lockport Township High School District 205 Superintendent Garry Raymond said Wednesday of the arrest.

Raymond said the student could face a two-year expulsion for his alleged role in the Monday incident.

The unlawful possession of an explosive device charge is the most serious and would carry a 4- to 15-year prison term for adults.

However, Pelkie noted that if convicted, the 15-year-old could get probation and would only serve a maximum of 6 years in juvenile custody because state law only allows convicted juvenile offenders to be held in detention facilities until the age of 21.

The teen remains in custody and will appear in juvenile court for his June 12 arraignment at the River Valley Justice Center, Pelkie said.

Kendziora said police are continuing their investigation of Tuesday's bomb threat, which was a computerized call left on the district's voice mail system. He said police have tried to trace the call but have been unsuccessful.

About 20 parents and students attended a special school board meeting Wednesday night to discuss the week's events.

"What I'm concerned about is the threat they had here [at the east campus]," Homer Glen resident Patti White said.

Parent Cheryl Soucy questioned why district officials kept students inside the school buildings after the device exploded on Monday and again on Tuesday after the bomb threat was made.

She noted a neighboring district immediately evacuated a school when it received a bomb threat.

Though school board members did not respond publicly to parents' questions, board President Ronald Svara said the board will review crisis procedures to see if improvements can be made.

"We have this crisis policy in place and now we have this experience," he said. "We will revisit the policy."